Paper 13093-107
Paper 13093-107
Realignment and performance verification of two-mirror focal corrector optics for FIREBall-2 using computer generated hologram (CGH)
17 June 2024 • 17:30 - 19:00 Japan Standard Time | Room G5, North - 1F
Abstract
The Faint Intergalactic-medium Red-shifted Emission Balloon (FIREBall-2) is a joint NASA/CNES-funded balloon-borne UV telescope to map faint UV emission from the circumgalactic medium around low redshift galaxies. The initial September 2018 flight encountered challenges, including a balloon breach and subsequent damage during landing, impacting the two large telescope mirrors and the critical focal corrector. Likely due to landing shock, the focal corrector experienced misalignment beyond tolerance, necessitating re-evaluation and realignment. This paper outlines a comprehensive approach to realigning the focal corrector using a computer-generated hologram (CGH) and a Zygo interferometer for feedback. The CGH enables precise alignment corrections in various degrees of freedom, while interferometer feedback aids in reducing aberrations. The paper details the methodology for optical alignment, surface measurement, and performance evaluation of the focal corrector, emphasizing its successful integration into the FB-2 spectrograph in early 2023 for the upcoming September 2023 flight.
Presenter
The Univ. of Arizona (United States)
Simran Agarwal is a skilled Optical Engineer, with a strong educational background and practical experience in optical sciences. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona, expected to be completed by May 2025. Simran holds a master’s degree in Optical Sciences from the same university and an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Bangkok University, along with a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology.
Simran's work experience comprises of significant contributions in stray light analysis for the Aspera NASA Pioneers Cubesat Mission at Steward Observatory, where she has been working since February 2021.She also played a key role in the Alignment and Testing of the FIREBall-2 Optics at the same observatory since May 2019. Here, she led the team for aligning the spectrograph and focal corrector optics of a sub-orbital balloon payload FIREBall-2.